Man shot in face with shotgun on a dare in Gifford

See raw video from the scene in Gifford, where Indian River County deputies charged David Lee Martin, 62, with attempted murder after they said he shot a coworker in the face with a shotgun.

Clifford Wallace

David Lee Martin

GIFFORD — Indian River County deputies charged David Lee Martin, 62, with attempted murder after they said he shot a coworker in the face with a shotgun about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Community Auto Recycler's Salvagers, 4845 45th St.

The victim, Ronny Bailey, was listed in critical condition at Indian River Medical Center Wednesday evening, said Jim Harpring, acting sheriff's office spokesman. Detectives Wednesday evening were still investigating the motive for the shooting.

Martin worked as a night watchman for the salvage company and Bailey's job at the company was not known.

Witnesses said they heard a "loud boom" and later saw Bailey lying on the ground and Martin holding a double-barreled shotgun and removing shells from the gun.

Salvage company manager Eric Hein told detectives that Martin said he shot Bailey on a dare. Hein told detectives that Martin told him that Bailey said he didn't have the courage to do it, "so I showed him,'' according to an arrest report.

It was the second shooting in Gifford in five days.

In the first case, the suspect in a Sunday night non-fatal shooting in Gifford was arrested Tuesday night and booked into the Indian River County Jail, the Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

Clifford Wallace, 43, of the 4400 block of 33rd Avenue, was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and posted $10,000 bail Wednesday.

Wallace Yorker, 61, of the 4800 block of 32nd Avenue, told investigators he was outside talking with friends near 33rd Avenue and 47th Street when he got into an argument with Wallace. Witnesses said the two men had been drinking and arguing on and off throughout the day, the warrant affidavit states. Yorker said three or four shots were fired.

Wallace told investigators he had grabbed a .38 caliber revolver and fired because he thought Yorker was going to stab him.

Yorker was shot once in the left forearm and was treated for the injury at Indian River Medical Center.